Edging machine



R. F. TABER EDGING MACHINE Aug. 28, 1945.

8 Shets-Sheet 1 Filed June 21, 1941 3mm fiber Aug. 28, 1945. R F TABER 2,383,896

EDGING MACHINE Filed June 21, 1941 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 'IIIIIIIljlll lllllllllllllull '8 Sheets-Sheet 4 R. F. TABER EDGING MACHINE Filed June 21, 1941 Aug. 28

Aug. 28, 1945. I TABER 2,383,896

EDGING MACHINE June 21, 8 Sheets-Sheet Aug. 28, 1945. TABER 2,383,896

EDGING MACHINE Filed June 21, 1941 8 Sheets-Sheet '7 IIIIIlllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll' R. F. TABER EDGING MACHINE Aug. 28, 1945.

8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed June 21 1941 Patented Aug. 28, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE EDGING MACHINE Ralph F. Taber, North Tonawanda, N. Y. Application June I21, 1941, Serial No. 399,147

11 Claims.

The invention relates to means for producing tubular edges on sheet material. I

The invention is directed to a means for forming tubular edges on the margins of transparent and opaque sheet materials for making said materials useful in the manufacture of small boxes and similar products where the tubular beads provide the material with a' shape retaining quality.

The invention is well adapted for forming tubular beads on the margins of sheet material formed from cellulose, cellulose esters, resins, phenolic condensation products, and other similar materials known as plastic materials, as distinguished from sheet metal.

The invention provides a means for forming tubular beads on margins of sheet material by a continuous process in which the beads are formed by progressive and continuous operation obtained by gradually and progressively bending the marginal portion of a fiat sheet into tubularv form until the marginal portion is formed into a complete tubular shape in cross section. The invention provides for the formation of a tubular bead in which the edge of the material is curved inwardly so that the surface of the sheet ad acent the edge thereof engages the surface of the sheet where the bead merges into the flat portion. This provides a bead of greater strength controlled by increasing r decreasing the amount of the turned-in edge.

The invention provides a means for forming tubular edges or beads on sheet material by continuously feeding sheet material through a plurality of zones for successive treatment to first heat and then-progressively bend the margin of the sheet material into tubular form with subsecuent cooling to cause said material to set in said tubular form and provide a permanent beaded edge.

The invention comprehends a machine having wo units for simultaneously forming tubular beads on the opposite edges of a piece of sheet material simultaneously, the units being mounted for adjustment toward and from each other so t at beads may be simultaneously formed on sheets of varying widths or lengths; a machine having a pair of lineally movable bands for gripping and feeding the sheets through the bead forming mechanism; a band mounting and supporting mechanism having pairs of wheels for su porting endless bands for lineal movement with portions in superimposed relation held in grip ing contact with each other by suitable guide mechanism arranged to receive sheets between the bands and grip and feed them through the sections of the bands in superimposed relation; the adjustable mounting of the band carrying wheels to apply tension to the bands and to adjust the band carrying wheels toward or from each other to vary the space between opposed faces of the superimposed portions of the bands. or the surface contact pressure therebetween;

a, machine having superimposed lineally movable material continuously bands for feeding sheet through adjacently mounted forming mechanism arranged for lateral sliding movement into and out of operative position adjacent the bands, so that when the forming unit is slid into inoperative position access is provided for adjusting, removing or replacing the forming members of the unit; a machine having a forming unit for forming a tubular edge on the margin of sheet material provided with a means for tucking the edge inwardly so the surface of the sheet at the edge thereof will lie againstthe surface of the sheet where the bead merges into the flat portion of the sheet; a machine having means for feeding a sheet continuously therethrough'during the forming operation with stationary forming units arranged to receive and progressively bend the edge of the sheet into tubular form, the forming units being mounted on a suitable slide member for movement laterally to an inoperative position where they may be inspected, replaced and repaired; a machine wherein the tubular edge forming members are assembled in a unit detachably mounted in a slide structure for lateral movement into and out of operative position on the frame of the machine to facilitate inspection, replacement and adjustment of the unit in the inoperative position; and a frame structure for mounting the feeding and forming units arranged with end members joined by center connecting members constructed to facilitate the mounting of both the feed and forming units so they are readily accessible for adjustment and replacement.

The invention includes a number of features in addition to those mentioned above, in providing for the feed of sheets to be formed with tubular beaded edges directed to feeding and control of the feeding of sheets relative to the feeding mechanism and the forming units so at the amount of material formed into the bead can be controlled in a practical and desirable manner.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of an edging machine constructed according to the invention showing the outer side of a tubular edge forming unit.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of 1 machine showv of Fig. 10.

ing two edge forming units adiustably mounted on the base for simultaneously forming tiloular edges on the opposite sides of the same sheet.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal cross section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

mg. 4 is a side elevation of one of the bead forming units from the opposite side of the unit as shown in Fig. 1, the scale being substantially enlarged and parts being omitted, broken away and illustrated in section, for convenience in illustrating the details of construction of the mechanism for feeding and forming tubular beads on the margins of sheets.

Fig. 5 is a vertical cross section taken on line 3-5 of mg. 1.

Fig. 6 is a horizontal cross section through one forming unit taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation showing the inside faces of the forming and cooling units, adjacent portions of the supporting'frame, and the structure for mounting the forming unit on the frame for slidable movement into and out ofoperative position.

Fig. 8 is a vertical cross section taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 1. r

Fig. 9 is an enlarged vertical cross section taken on line 9-8 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 1015 a front elevation of theforming unit.

Fig. 11 is an end elevation of the right-hand end of the forming unit as shown in Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is an end elevation of the left-hand end of the forming unit as shown in Fig. 10.

Fig. 13 is a plan view of the main bending strip.

Fig. 14 is a side elevation of the main bending strip.

Fig. 15 is a side elevation of a preliminary complementary forming member cooperating with the main forming strip shown in Fig. 13 where the forming of the head on the margin of a sheet begins.

Fig. 16 is a plan view of the complementary forming member shown in Fig. 15.

Fig. 17 is a side elevation of another complementary forming strip that cooperates with the strip shown in Fig. 13 at the beginning of the forming operation.

Fig. 18 is a plan view of the strip shown in Fig. 17.

Fig. 19 is aplan view of a beading member cooperating with the trailing end of the main bend-, ing strip in completing the formation of a tubular edge on a sheet.

Fig. 20 is a side elevation of the forming side or face on the beading member shown in Fig. 19.

Fig. 21 is an end elevation of the leading.end of the beading member shown in Fig. 19.

Fig. 22 hows the spacer block used between the trailing end of the main bending strip and the top portion of the body of the forming unit in side elevation.

A pair of tub'ular edge forming units are provided by the invention. One is formed in opposite relation to the other in order that both will form beads on opposite edges of the same sheet at the same time. These units are indicated by numerals 2 and 4, respectively. see Fig. 2. These units are oppositely formed with the parts of otherwise duplicate construction. It is believed a description of one will be sufficient to describe the other. These units 2 and 4 are both mounted on base I, unit 2 being mounted in a fixed position on base I while unit 4 is slidably mounted so that it may be adjusted toward and away from unit 2 in order that it may be used for simultaneously beading the opposite edges of sheets of different sizes.

Unit 4 has a frame I formed with flat bottom faces slidsbly seated on flat top faces of base I. Transverse slots 4 in base I slidably receive depending transverse rlbs 'l projecting downwardly from the bottom of frame I. Two or more slots 2 and ribs I maybe used as found desirable to effectively guide frame 5. Clamping bar 2 having clamping crew lthreaded therein is arranged in the bottom of frame 5 to operate across ribs I for clamping frame I rigidly in adjusted position on base I.

Stationary forming unit 2 has frame It substantially similar in construction to frame 4, but opp sitely formed. Frame It has a pair of end members II and I2 respectively mounted in spaced parallel relation and extending upwardly from bottom portion l2 seated on base I as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. This frame It is suitably bolted or otherwise secured tobase I.

Bottom portion l2 connects the lower ends of end members II and I2, see Fig. 1, and interme- Fig. 23 is a bottom plan of the spacer bloci:

shown in Fig. 22.

Fig. 24 is a cross section taken on line'2424 of Fig. 10. Fig. 25 is a cross section taken on line 25-25 of Fig. 10.

Fig. 26 is a cross section taken on line 22-26 of Fig. 10. V

Fig. 27 is a cross section taken on line2I-2I Fig. 28 is a cross of Fig. 12. r

The machine has a base I provided with angular seat portions for receiving the upper ends of supporting legs 2, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

section taken on line 22-22 diate these end members it is provided with bearing I4, see Fig. 2, rotatably mounting adjusting shaft ll. Th'e mounting of shaft I5 in bearing I4 is constructed so that the shaft will not have endwise movement in bearing I4. A hand wheel II is provided for manually rotating shaft ll.

Shaft II is provided with external screw threads having threaded engagement in boss I! forming part of frame 8 of unit 4. shaft II has a rotatable bearing in bearing block II mounted on base I. When the clamping bar and screw members 2 and 2, respectively, are loosened, manual rotation of hand wheel I! will move slidable forming unit 4 toward or away from unit 2. When the proper p sition for unit 4 relative to unit 3 is obtained clamping screw I may be again actuated to effectively clamp unit 4 in position on base I against adjustment.

Each unit is provided with a sheet feed construction formed in opposite relation to the other as above stated and a description of the sheet feeding construction on one unit will be sufdcient to describe both. The sheet feeding construction of unit 2 will be described and similar numerals fitsbe applied to corresponding parts on both Two pairs of wheels are provided the upper pair beingindicated by the numerals l8 and 22, respectively, while the lower pair are indicated by the numerals 2i and 22 respectively. Wheel I! and 2i are in juxtaposed relation to each other.

as are wheels 22 and 22. Wheels I8 and 2| are at the feed or front end of the machine where sheets to be formed are fed into the machine.

Wheel 2I is rigidly mounted on shaft 22, see

Fig. 8, having a roller bearing rotatably mounting said wheel at one end on frame 2. Each of wheels I2, 2. and 22 is mounted on a stub shaft 24 The opposite end of rotatable at opposite ends in bearings carried in the ends of shaft housing 25, see Fig. 6. "Each shaft housing 25 is formed to slidably engage in guideways formed in end members II and I2 arranged o wheel |9 may be vertically adjusted and wheels anet22 may be horizontally adjusted on frame l0. Guide bars 26 retain said shaft housings on said frame for slidable adjustment. An adjusting screw 21 for each of wheels 20 and 22 respectively, is mounted in end member l2 and has screw threaded connection with housing 25 so that upon turning of the adjusting screw 21 for wheel 22, housing 25 will be moved back and forth horizontally to change the distance between wheel 22 and wheel 2|. Operation of adjusting screw 21 for wheel 28 will obtain horizontal adjustment thereof in the same manner as wheel 22.

Each of the wheels |9 to 22 inclusive has its periphery formed with an annular groove 28 formed to receive endless feed bands 29. One endless band is engaged over the pair of rollers 9 and 20 and another endless band over the pair of rollers 2| and 22, respectively. By the adjustment of screws 21 the bands can be placed under tension of the desired degree for securing their efficient operation.

Shaft housing 25 for wheel I9 is guided by vertically extending guide bars 38 while projection 3| on end member II has adjusting crew 32 threaded therein for rotation to move vertically for adjusting wheel l9 to vary the spacing and contact pressure between the peripheries of wheels l9 and 2| and bands 29. The vertical adjustment of wheel |9 by screw 32 controls the initial gripping and feed pressure on the sheets to be beaded. v

Bands 29 each have portions thereof extending between the adjacent peripheries of wheels I 9 and 2| to the adjacent peripheries of wheels 20 and 22 in contact with each other. The superimposed contacting portions of these bands provide a gripping and feeding means for gripping and conveying a sheet therewith through the machine from the front to the rear.

These bands are accurately upported and guided throughout the superimposed portions that extend between the front wheels I9 and 2|, and the rear wheels 20 and 22, respectively. A stationary roller housing 35 has its opposite ends bolted to posts projecting from bosses 36 formed on end members [I and I2 respectively, as shown in Figs. 4, 6 and 7. A plurality of ball bearing rollers 31 are mounted in roller housing 35 throughout the length thereof with their axes lying in the same plane so that their peripheries engage the under surface of band 29 where it extends between wheels 2| and 22 so as to support the contacting h'orizontal portions of both bands 29 to prevent their downward flexing and to maintain them in a straight condition. At the forward and rear ends of bearing housing 35 are smaller bearing rollers 38 having their peripheries tangent to the same horizontal plane as the peripheries of bearing rollers 31 as sh'own in ,Fig. 4, for cooperation with rollers 31 for supporting the feed bands in horizontal relation.

Above bearing housing 35 and the superimposed portions of bands 29, there is arranged a top bearing member 40 formed with a plurality of cylinders 4| opening through the lower face and slidably receiving plungers 42 carrying bearing rollers 43 in the lower ends thereof having their peripheries in rolling engagement with the top surface of upper feed band 29 throughout the rotatably mounted in frames 55.

portion in superimposed relation with the lower band. Rollers 43 have their axes in vertically aligned relation with the axes of rollers 31 in roller housing 35. Compression springs 44 are mounted one in each cylinder 4| above plungers 42 for normally urging said plungers downwardly to maintain the peripheries of rollers 43 in engagement with the superimposed portions of feed bands 29.

Top bearing member 48 is secured to slide block 45formed to provide vertically extending guide ribs 46 at the side edges thereof. Guide ribs 46 are slidably mounted for vertical sliding movement in guideways formed in bearing block 41. Bearing block 41 is bolted or otherwise detachably secured to the horizontal cross member 48 forming part of frame l8. Cross member 48 joins the central portions of end members II and I2, see Fig. 1.

Bearing block 41 has a projection 49, see Fig. 5, on the upper central portion thereof formed to provide a bearing for mounting adjusting screw 50 in threaded relation therein. Adjusting screw 50 may be rotated {or screw threaded movement up and down in bearing projection 49 to engage the end with the upper edge of slide member 45 for adjusting its position relative to bearing block 41 in vertical relation against the tension of compression springs 5| normally adapted to move slide member 45 and top bearing member 40 upwardly. This upward movement will reduce the tension on compression springs 44 and thereby reduce the pressure exerted by rollers 43 to hold the superimposed portions of bands 29 in contacting relation for gripping and feeding sheets. By adjusting screw 58 the tension of compression springs 44 can be adjusted to obtain the desired amount of gripping pressure between bands 29.

As shown in Fig. 5 plungers 42 have their rear faces provided with recessed portions 52 for receiving a retaining bar 53 mounted in top member 40 for limiting the movement of plungers 42 under the action of springs 44. Bar 53 provides a means for limiting the projectionof plungers 42 from the lower end of top member 40 so that when screw 50 is operated into raised position in bearing member 49, springs 5| will elevate top bearing member 48 with slide member 45 to the upper position and disengage rollers 43 from the superimposed portions of bands 29. In addition, this bar 53 also facilitates the assembly of the plungers in member 48 and the attachment of the assembled structure, or the removal thereof, in a convenient manner, from its mounted posi tion on guide block 41.

Additional pressure and guide rollers are mounted beyond opposite ends of top bearing member 40 as indicated at 54 in Figs, 4 and 6. These rollers 54 are arranged in pairs to cooperate with the pairs of rollers 38. Rollers 54 are Each frame 55 is carried by a vertically extending guide member 56 slidably mounted in guideways51 formed on bosses 36 and retained in said guideways by set screws 58 extending through slots in the guide member. Springs 59 secured on end members H and I2, respectively, by screws 60 have the ends engaged with the top portions of guide members 56. These ends are urged downwardly by the resiliency of the springs to normally force guide members 56 downwardly to maintainrollers 54 in bearing engagement with the superimposed portions of bands 29 on the opposite side from rollers 38, to effectively maintain said bands in firm engagement with one another. A cam screw 9| is rotatably mounted on each boss 99 in a slotted portion 92 of guide member 99. This cam screw may be rotated for engagingthe adiacent portion of guide member 99 to elevate the guide" member against the tension of spring 99 for diseng ging rollers 94 from contact with feed bands 29. This renders rollers 94 inoperative and throughout the superimposed portions thereof. A drive shaft 94 carries a pinion 99 on one end thereof meshing with gear 99 on wheel 2|. Drive shaft 94 is mounted in spaced bearings as shown in Fig. at the ends of housing 99. Housing 99 is mounted on a vertically extending web portion on bottom portion It. The opposite end of drive shaft 94 from pinion 99 carries pulley 91, see Fig. 2, driven by a belt or other suitable means from a source of power, such as an electric motor, not shown, carried by the legs 2 in any convenient manner.

. assasoc shaft is through w' ch it is driven by key and I slot connection. Th key way connection between shaft 29 and wheel 2| of unit 4 provides for the adjustment of unit 4 toward and away from unit 9 without disconnecting the drive since sleeve 99 readily slides axially on shaft 29. The wheels 2| 0! both units 9 and 4 are driven in unison by shaft 29.

The forming means or members of the forming unit for providing a tubular edge ,or head on sheet material will now be described.

A connecting member 19 extends between end members H and i2 of frame I! below connecting bar 49 as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. This connectmovement in the same direction together ing member II has a lip H extending inwardly from one side thereof. Connecting member Ill and lip 1| have the upper surface of the central portion recessed to provide the transversely extending guideway indicated by the numeral 12. A guide plate I9 is slidably mounted in guideway 12 and is attached by screws or the like to carrier 14 mounted on the top face thereof.

Carrier 14 has a transversely extending channel I9 formed therein to receive clamping strip 19 having clamping screw ll threaded therein and manually operable to draw clamping block 19 into tight engagement with plate 19 and lock it against It will be seen from the-above described construction of the feeding mechanism that bands 29 are adapted to receive sheet material fed in between the bands through introduction at the left-hand side of Fig. 4, between the peripheries of wheels l9 and 2| and the outer portions of the bands supported thereon, so that as soon as the sheet material reaches a point about on a line between the axes of wheels i9 and 2| the adiacent faces of bands 29 will engage opposite surfaces of the sheet material and firmly grip the same due to the bands being adjusted into contacting or substantially contacting relation for this purpose. The adjustment of the relative positions of the surfaces of the hands 29 to each other is governed by the adjustment of screw 99 for the desired thickness of sheet material to be fed through the machine. The sheet material istherefore gripped between the bands as it passes between the wheels l9'and 2|. This gripping is firmly maintained through the spring pressure exerted upon rollers 49 and 94 for constantly moving the bands into contact with one another under pressure as they are supported and guided by rollers 91 and 99. The sheet will therefore be firmly gripped as it passes between the superimposed portions of the bands and rollor: 49 and 91, for example, in a manner that it will not turn or slip during its movement in aligned relation, in fact shaft 2: is extended.

as shownin Fig. 8, through wheel 2| of forming unit 4 which is of slightly different construction so that this shaft may be used to drive wheel II of unit 4.

This driving arrangement is obtained by ro- -movement transversely in guideway 12. Plate 13 is formed with a transversely extending slot to receive clamping screw in order to provide for the transverse movement of the carrier relative to connecting member 19, as shown in Fig. 5. The slot is positioned so as tolimit the lateral movement of the carrier toward the outside of the unit. A stop member I9 mounted on the inner end of lip serves to limit the inward movement of the carrier in a predetermined position.

Carrier I4 is provided with bearing projections 19 having inwardly extending bearing pins 99 shown in dotted lines in Figs. 4 and 5 rotatably supporting carrier block 9| above carrier I4. Carrier block 9! is provided with passage 92 for receiving and mounting the heating element and tatably mounting wheel 2| of forming unit 4 on sleeve 99 having a bearing mounted at 99 in frame .9. Only one bearing roller mounting is required, due to the fact, that sleeve 69 slidably receives controlling element therefor and with a channel 99 for detachably receiving and supporting the heating and forming members dies 94 and 99, respectively.

A handle 99 of material substantially nonconductant to heat is mounted on carrier block 9| and is adapted for manual gripping to slide carrier block" and carrier 14 back and forth in guideway 12 and also for rocking carrier block 9| about pivot pins 99 tomove the inner face into upwardly extending position for providing access to heating and forming dies 94 and 95. Carrier block II is provided with a retaining groove 91 formed in the inner face thereof adjacent the lower edge'for receiving the inturned end of positloning member or stop '19, as shown in Fig. 5. Member I9 upon engagement in retaining groove 91 accurately positions carrier block 9| with heating and forming dies 94 and 99 in the proper fixed position for the operation of the heating die in first heating the marginal portion of a sheet and then subsequently forming the margin into a tubular head in the forming die. This positioning is also controlled by positioning pins 99 mounted in carrier 14 as shown in Figs. 5 and 7. When carrier block 9| with heating and forming dies 94 and 99 respectively, are mounted in engagement with stop 19 and positioning pins 99, tightening of set screw II will lock carrier 14 in position for retaining these members in fixed operative position for their normal operation.

In the operation of the machine it may be desired to inspect the heating and forming dies from time to time, so as to make adjustments, or entirely remove them for replacement, or for removing particles of foreiegn material that may stick in the forming dies and interfere with their efllcient operation, or for interchanging the forming dies for new ones of a different type or dimensions for difierent sizes or thicknesses of sheets or beads. The slidable mounting of carrier 14 and the rocking or pivotal mounting of carrier block 8| on the carrier provides for the movement of the carrier and the carrier block into the dotdash lines position indicated in Fig. 5. In this inoperative position the carrier block may be changed, adjusted, etc. as above mentioned, without interfering with the set up and adjustment of the machine for its normal operation. The carrier block with the forming dies may be readily retumed to the normal operative position in a convenient and rapid manner with positioning bracket 18 and pins 88 controlling the resetting of heating block 8| and the carrier and forming dies so that they are accurately positioned in proper relation in the machine for eflicient operation. The clamping screw 11 is tightened and loosened according to the desired operation of the carrier block and the heating and forming dies.

Heating die 84 is formed of a bottom heating block 90 mounted at the bottom of channel 93 and retained in position by a pair of securing screws engaging in threaded openings in the bottom of block 90 and extending through carrier block 8| from the bottom face thereof as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 7. Heating die 84 has a movable top heater block 9| adapted for vertical sliding movement on pins 92 extending through guide openings in the top portion of carrier block 8|. Springs 93 are normally under compression to urge heater block 9| toward and into engagement with heater block 90. These springs are held in place by engaging in recesses in the portion of carrier block 8| above channel 83. The meeting faces of heater blocks 90 and 9| have the edges rounded to remove sharp corners in order that sheet material fed between the blocks and in contact therewith will not be marred. Heating die 84 is mounted to receive the margin of a sheet to be formed in advance of formin die 85 in order to preheat the material along the margin of the sheet.

Forming die 85 is detachably retained in channel 83 by a pair of set screws 94 threaded in the top portion of carrier block 8| for engaging in sockets in the top face of forming die 85. Set screws 94 retain forming die 85 in fixed relation in carrier block 8|. Forming die 85 is also heated from carrier block 8 I, receives the preheated marginal portion of the sheet material to be formed, and while maintaining it in heated condition, bends the marginal portion of the sheet material from fiat sheet form into a tubular head as it passes from the front end to the rear end of the forming die in the direction of feed of the sheet.

The forming die comprises an elongated rectangular body 95 formed with a longitudinal channel opening through both ends and one side indicated at 96. A primary bending strip 91, see Fig. 13, has its forward end indicated at 98 secured in the lower side of channel 96 by retaining screw 99. This bending strip is then twisted throughout its central portion throughout one complete turn, with the upper face of the rear end of thestrip secured against a spacing wedge I00 seated at the top part of the channel in body 95 at the rear end thereof. The rear edge of primary bending strip 91 has an extension I0! of partially cylindrical form for curling sheet material into substantially cylindrical shape.

A front secondary forming strip is indicated at I02 which is mounted in the front end of channel 96 at the upper side thereof in which position it is secured by set screws I03. Thi secondary forming strip is constructed as shown in Figs. 15 and 16. This secondary forming strip I02 has an initial curve forming face I04, see Fig. 16, curved both longitudinally and laterally in spaced complementary relation to the forward end of primary forming strip 91. Secondary forming strip I02 has the elongated extension at the front face of the channel indicated at I05 formed on the inner face with a longitudinally and laterally curved forming face I08, Fig. 16, 'complementary to and spaced from the adjacent portions of forming strip 91 in the portion which is adapted to turn the marginal portion of a sheet from the plane of the sheet into a position substantially at right angles thereto.

A flat guide strip I01, see Figs. 10, 1'7, 18, 22 and 23 is mounted at the bottom of channel 96 and extends from the forward end thereof to a point about one-quarter of the distance from the rear end of body 95. This guide strip I01 cooperates with forming strip 91 to provide a guide face at the forward end of the channel for the bottom face of sheets being formed by guide strip 91. The upper face of the guide strip 9'! is arranged in spaced relation from the complementary forming face of secondary forming strip I02 as shown in Fig. 10 to provide a groove through which the margins of the sheets to be formed extend. Strip I01 is retained in the bottom of channel 96 by three set screws I08, shown in Fig. 10.

A complementary guide and beading block I09 is mounted in the rear bottom inside portion of channel 96. This block I09 has a lip extendin outwardly to the side face of body 95 at the bottom of the channel to provide an upper surface for guiding the bottom face of a sheet being formed thereon as it leaves the face of guide strip I01. The inside portion of block I09 is formed to provide a semi-cylindrical recess portion beginning at the face of the lip and extending inwardly and upwardly to the top of the block. The top face of the block seats against the under face of the rear end of primary forming strip 91 and cooperates therewith to form a cylindrical bore at the rear end of body 95 for cooperation to complete the formation of a cylindrical tubular edge on a piece of sheet material. The upper face of the forwardly extending lip of block I09 is mounted in spaced relation from curved extension IN to provide for the passage of sheet material therethrough and the formation of the tubular beaded edge. Securin pinsllO extend through body 95 and secure spacing wedge I00, the rear end of primary forming strip 91 and complementary beading block I09 rigidly in operative position in channel 96.

In order to insure the shaping of the margin of the sheet material into substantially true cylindrical form, a forming rod III has a hooked end I I2 that engages in opening I I3 in the upper front end of body 95. The major portion of forming rod III extends through slot H4 in the bottom face of secondary forming strip I02, and

The rear end of forming rod III extends through the complementary cylindrical portion of bendforming strip 91, secondary strip I02 and beading block I09 to form a cylindrical bead r tubular portion on the edge of sheet material. The bead formed by the structure will terminate with the edge of the sheet facing the su rface of the flat portion of the sheet adjacenttlfe point where the bead begins. It is desirable to turn this edge in to provide a more complete tubular beading operation.

For this purpose, there is provided a final edge tucking member H rigidly mounted on the end of body 95, as shown in Figs. 10 and 28. A pair of pins IIO accurately position final edge tucking member I I5 on the end of body 95 so that the opening I will be in'aligned relation with the complementary cylindrical portion of beading block I09 and extension IN. This final edge tucking member II5 has a tucking lip II3 turned inwardly into opening I" for turning or tucking the free edge of the beaded sheet under so that the adjacent surface portion at the edge of the sheet will lie adjacent to the surface portion of the sheet where the bead begins and thereby provide a complete tubular bead on the margin of sheet material. The amont of material formed into this head can be varied by the width of the marginal portion engaged in the forming member and bent over into the bead bythe structure above described. In varying the width of the margin formed into the bead the turned-in edge will be greater or less according to the amount of material used in forming the bead and this will be controlled by lip I I8.

Immediately after the sheet with the completed tubular edge formed thereon leaves forming die 85 it engages in cooling member I20. Cooling member I has a cylindrical passage I2I extending therethrough in aligned relation with the passage in final edge tucking member I I5, and a slot I22 opening through the side face of member I20 at the bottomcf the passage. This provides passages for the tubular edge and the adiajacent portion of the sheet for holding the tubular edge in shape during the cooling ofthe material. Cooling member I20 is mounted in a supporting block I23 by means of suitable set screws and block I23 is mounted on a housing I24 formed integral with connecting member 48 adjacent frame I2. A bolt or the like I25 secures block I23 to housing I24 as shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 6. Housing I24 provides a cooling compartment I26 closed by cover I21 having water inlet and outlet connectious indicated at I28 and I29 respectively.

Water or other suitable cooling medium may be passed through cooling compartment I25 for maintaining housing I24 and the adjacent portion of the frame in a cool condition for cooling block I23 and cooling member I20. In this way heat from the formed beaded sheet material is absorbed by block I2 0 and conducted away by the cooling medium. The material of the sheet throughout the tubular edge is thereby caused to set for permanent retention of the tubular shape.

It will be noted that feed bands 29 have the superimposed portions thereof supported and guided with one edge in close proximity to the inner faces of the heating, forming and cooling members so that sheet material gripped between bands 29 will have practically the entire portion extending from the band into the heating, forming and cooling members engaged in and formed into a tubular bead by these members.

A feed table I30 is provided at the front of the machine for feeding sheet material into the feed bands 29 and heating, forming and cooling members. Feed table I 30 is mounted on supporting arms I3l and I32 respectively. Arm I3I is suitably secured to base I as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, while arm I32 is mounted on end member II at the front end of frame I0 of unit 3, as shown in Fig. l. The rear edge of feed table I 30 terminates in adjacent but spaced relation to the front edges of frames 5 and III of units 4 and 3, respectively,

as shown in Figs. 1' and 3.

Shaft 23 has the left-hand end, as shown in Fig. 2, supported in a bearing 23' on arm I3I.

A pair of guide arms I33 are slidable over the upper face of feed table I30 for receiving and slidably guiding sheet material to be formed, into the feed bands and heating, forming and cooling members. Each of the arms is constructed in the same manner but in opposite relation to the other as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. A description of one of these arms will describe both and the same numerals will be used on each arm for corresponding parts.

Each arm is formed of a bottom guide plate I34 and a top guide member I35 having the guiding edge at I36 on the inner portion formed with a rabbet I3'Iadapted to provide a channel between plate I34 and guide member I35 for receiving the edge of sheets to be formed, for retaining said edge in flat relation on the top surface of plate I34.

Guide member I33 has the plate I34 and guide member I35 thereof formed with foot portions I38 secured to angle member I39 mounted for horizontal sliding movement in guide channel I40 formed on the front edge of end member II of each supporting frame. Angle member I39 is supported in horizontally slidable relation in channel I40, as shown in Fig. 2, by a pair of spaced aligned slots receiving guide and retaining screws I4I threaded in end member II. These screws I4I may be loosened sufliciently to provide for the sliding movement of angle member I39 in channel I40 so that each guide arm I33 may be adjusted on table I30. After this adjustment is made screws I4I are tightened to firmly clamp angle member I39 rigidly in position on end member II' and retain the guide arm in a fixed position of adjustment.

An adjusting screw I42 is mounted in a projection I43 provided on the end member of the frame. The end of adjusting screw I42 is threaded into the end portion of angle member I39 so that rotation of screw I42 will adjust member I39 horizontally in guide channel I40. This adjustment of screw I42 will provide for the accurate adjustment of guide arm I33 on table I30 into the desired position of adjustment when screws I4I are loosened to provide for sliding movement of member I39.

The adjustment of each guide arm I33 is arranged so that the rabbet I31 will provide for the projection of a sufficient amount of the margin of a sheet to be provided with a tubular bead, beyond the plane of the outer edges of guide bands 23, so that when this margin enters the heating, forming and cooling members as above described, it will be turned into the cylindrical head portion in the manner above described. The edge of the sheet will be turned inwardly to overlie a portion of the sheet spaced from the edge at the approximate juncture of the bead with the flat portion of the sheet. The variation of the position of guide arm I33 with respect to feed bands 23 and the heating, forming and cooling members can be controlled to vary the amount of material formed into the tubular bead to the extent limited by the dimensions of the heating, forming and cooling members and are arranged to form a suflicient amount of the edge portion of a sheet of material into the cylindrical tubular head on the edge of a sheet so that a small marginal portion adjacent the edge of the sheet may be formed to overlie the portion of the sheet at the juncture of the bead with the flat unformed part of the sheet.

The machine herein described may be used to form tubular beads on only one edge of a sheet, or if desired, may be operated to simultaneously form beads on opposite edges of the same sheet. When one edge only of a sheet is to be formed with a tubular bead, guide arm I33 on the unit to be used, is adjusted to the desired position to obtain the formation of the desired amount of the marginal portion of the sheet into the bead. Ordinarily guide arm I33 willbe maintained at this position of adjustment.

Stationary forming unit 3 will normally be used for forming only one bead on the edge of a sheet while unit '4 may be slidably moved to its outermost position so that it will not operate on a sheet being formed on one edge only although the feed bands 23 thereof may be arranged to grip the margin of the sheet for cooperation with the feed bands 23 of unit 3 in feeding sheets to be beaded on one edge only. This however is not necessary and in some cases will not be desired. A clutch, not shown, may be interposed in drive shaft 23 to disconnect unit 4 from unit 3 when not in use, or any other equivalent means may be used.

When a sheet is to be headed on opposite edges simultaneously, edging unit 4 is slidably adjusted to the proper position so that the opposite edges of the sheets to be beaded will engage in the rabbeted portions in guide edges I36 of both guide arms I33 which have been set in the desiredpositions of adjustment for the beading operation.

The sheet material to be formed with the tubular head or beads is then fed along one or between both guide arms I33 over feed table I30 into the machine so that it will be gripped by feed bands i 23, the guide arms maintaining the edges of the sheet in squared relation, in which position they will be maintained by the gripping action of the bands and fed with the bands, while gripped therebetween, through the machine to the rear end. As the sheets are fed through the machine the edges projecting beyond the sides of feed bands 23 will be engaged in the heating, forming and cooling members and progressively formed into tubular cylindrical beads of substantially uniform size and shape. The size of the beads may be varied by changing the forming members and correspondingly adjusting guide arms I33 without changing other parts of the machine.

In the forming of beaded edges on sheet material such as Celluloid or other similar plastic materials, the material first has the marginal portion to be formed into a bead engaged between heater blocks 90 and 3 I. In the sliding movement of the edge of the material between blocks 30 and 3|, it is heated to a sufllcient amount to bring the material into a sufficiently plastic condition for the desired forming operation. The forming die 35 is maintained in a heated condition to keep the material of. the sheet heated during the progressive forming into the cylindrical bead as it slides along primary bending strip 31 and the cooperating forming strips. During the passage of the marginal portion through forming die 35 the bead is completely formed, the final forming operation being obtained by lip 8, as hereinbefore described.

This completely formed beaded edge on the sheet is then engaged in the cooling unit which holds the bead in its formed shape while cooling the material so that it will set in the beaded form obtained by forming die 83 after which the sheet is delivered and elected from the rear end of the machine by feed, bands 29.

The heating of the forming and heating dies may be obtained in any desired manner and either manually or automatically controlled by suitable means to obtain the desired degree of heating necessary for the forming of the kind of sheet material that is to be provided with a beaded edge.

The invention claimed is:

1. An edging machine, comprising a support, a pair of endless feed bands mounted for lineal movement on said support with portions of each normally engaged in superimposed relation for travel in a straight path, guide and supporting means on said support engagingon opposite sides of said bands, and having the means at one side of said bands resiliently actuated to normally maintain the superimposed portions of said bands in contact during travel through said path, stationary forming means mounted on said support beside the superimposed portions of said bands for progressively forming a tubular bead on the margin of a sheet moved therethrough, and means for guiding a. sheet between said bands at one end of said path controlling the width of margin aligned with said forming means whereby said bands will be separated and engage opposite faces f said sheet in opposed relation and move the margin thereof through said forming means to produce said tubular bead on the margin.

2. An edging machine for forming a tubular bead on the margin of sheet material having a feeding means, comprising a support, two pairs of wheels rotatably mounted on said support, an endless band mounted for lineal travel on each pair of wheels, the corresponding wheels of each pair having their axes lying in parallel planes with their peripheries in contiguous relation for supporting portions of said bands in superimposed substantially contacting relation and adapted to travel together-in the same direction, a" plurality of bearing and guide rollers mounted on said support for engaging the outer side of one of said bands throughout the superimposed portions thereof, a roller carrier slidably mounted on said support for perpendicular movement relative to the superimposed portions of said bands on the side opposite said first-mentioned bearing and guide rollers, a plurality of rollers having supporting elements slidably mounted on said carrier for movement relative thereto toward and from the outer side of the other band inv said superimposed portions opposite to said first-mentioned rollers, resilient means on the roller car rier for normally projecting said supporting ele- 3. A machine for iorming a, tubular edge on sheet material comprising a pair at upstanding spaced parallel coplanar end members, cross members extending between and Joining said end members intermediate the ends thereof, a pair of wheels rotatably mounted on each end member in spaced relation to one side thereof, the wheels of each pair being in coplanar relation one above the other, a pair or narrow endless bands, one band being mounted on the top wheels of each pairand the other band being mounted on the bottom wheels of each pair, said bands having substantially straight adjacent and lineally movable portions extending in spaced parallel edgea wise relation to said side of said end members, means mounted on one of said cross members in spaced parallel relation at the side or said cross members for engaging and resiliently retaining said straight portions of said bands in engazed relation for holding a sheet therebetween and moving a held sheet therewith along one side of said members in perpendicular relation to said side of said members, and means having a passage therein formed to receive the margin of a sheet held and moved therethrough by said bands and having parts in said passage to form said margin into a tubular edge portion on said sheet mounted on one side or one of said cross members adjacent the edge of the straight portions of said bands.

4. A machine ior forming a tubular edge on sheet material comprising a pair of upstanding spaced coplanar and members, cross members extending between and joining said end members intermediate the ends thereof, a pair of wheels rotatably mounted on each end member in spaced relation to one side thereof, the wheels of each pair being in coplanar relation one above the other, a pair of narrow endless bands, one band being mounted on the top wheels of each pair and the other band being mounted on the bottom wheels of each pair, said bands having substantially straight adjacent and lineally movable portions extending in spaced parallel edgewise relation to said side of said end members, means mounted on one or said cross members in spaced parallel relation at the side oi said cross members for engaging and resiliently retaining said straight portions of said bands in engaged relation ior holding a sheet therebetween and moving a held sheet therewith along one side of said members in perpendicular relation to said side of said cross members, another of said cross members being formed with a transversely extending guideway crossing from one side thereof to the other, a carrier slidably mounted in said guideway ior'transverse movement to opposite sides of said cross members between said end members, means for positioning said carrier in a predetermined relation to said bands at one end of said guideway, and means mounted on said carrier formed in a position aligned with said straight portions of said bands for receiving the margin of a sheet held and movedby said bands for forming said margin into tubular form when assasee ment with adjacent substantiall straight portions in opposed relation, means on one oi said cross members for supporting and normally retaining said straight portions or said bands in engaged relation, mother cross member having a transverse substantially horizontal guideway formed therein, a carrier slidably mounted in said guideway for movement to opposite sides of said cross member between said end members, forming means detachably mounted on said carrier, positioning means on the last mentioned cross member for limiting carrier movement toward said bands for gauging the position of said forming means relative to said bands, and means for guiding a sheet into said bands for engagement, holding and movement thereof by and with said bands.

6. A machine for forming a tubular edge on sheet material comprising a pair of upstanding spaced parallel coplanar end members, cross memibers connecting said end members intermediate the ends thereof, a pair of endless bands mounted in spaced parallel relation on an upright side or said members one above the other in edgewise relation to said side for lineal movement with adjacent substantially straight portions in opposed relation, means on one of said cross members ior supporting and normally retaining said straight portions of said bands in engaged relation, another cross member having a trans- .verse substantially horizontal guideway formed therein, a carrier slidably mounted in said guideway for movement to opposite sides of said cross member between said end members, means rotatably mounted on said carrier for formi a tubular edge in one position thereof on the margin of a sheet held and moved by the straight portions of said bands with said margin projecting said carrier is engaged with and positioned by said positioning means.

5. A machine for forming a tubular edge on sheet material comprising a pair of upstanding spaced parallel coplanar end members cross members connecting said end members intermediate the ends thereof, a pair of endless bands mounted in spaced parallel relation on an upright side of said members one above the other therefrom in perpendicular relation toward said mean and said side or said end members, said forming means being movable with said carrier in said guideway to another position at the opposite side of said end members and rotatable into another and inoperative position on said carrier spaced away from said bands, positioning means on one of said cross members for engaging and retaining said forming means in operative predetermined relation to said bands, and guide and gauging means in advance of and for feeding sheets into said bands with a free margin projectlng in perpendicular relation toward the side of said end members for engagement and iorming in said forming means while held and moved by said bands.

7. A machine for forming a tubular edge on sheet material comprising a pair oi. upstanding spaced end members in coplanar relation, cross members connecting said end members intermediate the ends thereof, one of said cross members being above another and forming an upper cross member, a pair of endless bands mounted in spaced parallel edgewise relation to an upright side on said members one above the other for lineal movement with adjacent substantially straight portions in opposed relation, means mounted on one side of said end members for supporting the straight portion of the lower band, the upperof said cross members having a vertically extending guideway formed thereon, a top in edgewise relation to said side for lineal move- :5 ing member for proiecting said rollers toward said bands, means on said last mentioned cross member for e i and adjusting said top hearing member in said guideway to vary the tension on said rollers, and forming means on another cross member adjacent one edge of the engaged portions of said bands for receiving the free margin of a sheet held and moved with said bands for forming said margin into a tubular bead.

8.'A machine for forming a tubular edge on sheet material comprising a pair of upstanding spaced coplanar end members, cross members connecting said end members intermediate the ends thereof, a lower pair of wheels each rotatably mounted on an upright side of one of said end members, a pair of bearing members each slidably mounted in the upper portion of one end member one of said bearing members having vertical sliding movement, adjusting means connected with each bearing and end member for moving said bearing members and retaining them in adjusted position, an upper pair of wheels each rotatably mounted on one of said bearing members and arranged at one side of said end members above the lower wheels on said end members, all of said wheels being in coplanar relation parallel to said end members, a pair of narrow endless bands, one engaged over the perlpheries of said lower wheels and the other over the peripheries of said upper wheels for lineal movement with straight portions in opposed adjacent relation extending between the end membersin substantially horizontal relation edgewise to the sides of said members, bearing means positioned below the straight portions of both of said bands for supporting both of said straight portions of said bands, a vertical guideway formed on said cross member, a top hearing member slidable in said guideway above and toward and from the straight portions of said bands, adjusting means engaging said top hearing and cross members operable to adjust the position of said top bearing member in said guideway, bearing rollers having supports slidably mounted in said top bearing member, said bearing rollers engaging the straight portion of the upper endless band for normally retaining it in engaged relation with the lower bend and bearing means, and forming means mounted on one of said cross members for forming the free margin of a sheet held by-said hands into a tubular portion, the adjustment of the bearings for the upper wheels cooperating with said top bearing member and its adjustment to retain the adjacent straight portions of said bands engaged throughout the entire length thereof for effectively holding sheets therebetween.

9. A machine for forming tubular edges on sheet material comprising a horizontal base, a pair of upright frames mounted on said base in spaced parallel relation, one frame being slidable horizontally on said base toward and from the other, each frame having a pair of endless bands mounted in spaced parallel edgewise relation to the vertical side of the frame facing the opposite frame, the bands of each pair being mounted one above the other for lineal movement and having straight portions engaged in horizontally extending relation from the front to th rear of said frames, a horizontal feed tsible in front of said frames having guide means for guiding sheets into and between pairs of bands with free margins projecting toward said frames from said bands, and

means mounted on said frames outwardly of said bands for forming opposite margins into tuibular beads while held and moved from the front to the rear of said frames.

10. An edging machine, comprising a frame, a pair of bands having normally engaged straight portions extending from one end tothe other end of said frame, means normally holding said straight portions of said bands in contact, means for lineally moving the straight portions of said bands in one direction, said bands and both of said means cooperating in holding the marginal portion of a sheet between said hands against movement relative to said bands and moving a held sheet therewith across said frame from one end to the other, means for progressively forming the margin of a sheet into tubular form while held and moved by the straight portions of said bands mounted on said frame in fixed contiguous relation to one edge of said straight portions of said bands, and means in advance of the straight portions of said bands for guiding a sheet into position between said straight portions of said bands for controlling the width of the margin of a fed sheet projecting beyond said edge portions of said bands for forming into a tubular edge by said forming means.

11. An edging machine, comprising a frame, a. pair of bands having normally engaged straight portions extending from one end to the other end adjacent said frame, means normally holding said straight portions of said bands in contact, means for lineally moving the straight portions of said bands in one direction, said bands and both of said means cooperating in holding the marginal portion of a sheet between the straight portions of said bands against movement relative to said bands and moving a held sheet therewith across said frame from one end to the other, means mounted on said frame contiguous to one edge of said bands formed with a channel to receive the' margin of a sheet held and moved by said bands,

means in said channel of the last-mentioned means for progressively forming the margin of said sheet into tubular form, said last-mentioned means having parts cooperating for tucking the edge of said sheet under and into outwardly extending relation within saidtubular portion on said sheet, and means in advance of the straight portions of said bands for guiding a sheet into position between said straight portions of said bands for controlling the width of the margin of a fed sheet beyond said edge portions of said bands for forming into a tubular edge.

RALPH F. TABER. 

